Hoyer Statement on Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in recognition of Veterans Day:

“For more than two centuries, Americans from every background and every community have donned our nation’s uniform and marched off to defend the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution and our way of life. Too many never returned. Today, on Veterans Day, we honor those who did and recommit ourselves to standing up for them and the benefits they have earned through their service. We must never forget our duty to our veterans, especially to those now returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. They deserve quality, affordable health care to help heal their wounds – both physical and psychological – as well as opportunities for higher education and assistance transitioning to civilian jobs. Congress coming together to act in meeting our responsibility to them has never been more important than it is today, with a disturbingly high level of unemployment among young veterans. In this spirit, the 110th Congress passed the 21st Century G.I. Bill and worked to improve the VA health system, and it is this same spirit that I hope will lead the current Congress to put veterans’ needs ahead of politics once again and take action to help them find work.

“From the shores of Okinawa to the skies over Tripoli, the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the United States military branches and the Coast Guard inspire pride in us all. Today, I join in thanking those from Maryland and across the nation who have answered the call to serve and risked all to pass onto the next generation the blessings of liberty and the promise of the American Dream.”